Method for operating a laundry washing machine using a unit dose package and laundry washing machine

Abstract

A laundry washing machine and a method for operating the washing machine offer ways to load a unit dose package into a compartment of the washing machine. A control unit controls the washing machine to add water to a compartment having a unit dose package. The tub is then filled with hot or cold water depending on the temperature of the water in the tub, or whether a sanitizing cycle of a washing program has been selected.

What is claimed: 
     
       1. A method for operating a laundry washing machine, the method comprising:
 providing, at a user input, a unit dose package operation mode control; 
 deactivating a default detergent operation mode and activating a unit dose package operation mode in response to receiving a first selection of the unit dose package operation mode control from the user input; 
 receiving a selection of a first washing cycle at the user input and performing the first washing cycle in the unit dose package operation mode, wherein the first washing cycle comprises a complete set of operations for processing a first load of laundry within the laundry washing machine; 
 subsequent to performing the first washing cycle, receiving a selection of a second washing cycle at the user input, and performing the second washing cycle in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input, wherein the second washing cycle comprises a complete set of operations for processing a second load of laundry within the laundry washing machine; and 
 deactivating the unit dose package operation mode and activating the default detergent operating mode in response to receiving a second selection of the unit dose package operation mode control from the user input; 
 wherein the default detergent operation mode comprises one or more operating parameters that are different from the operating parameters of the unit dose package operation mode. 
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising cycling a power state of the laundry washing machine between performing the first washing cycle and receiving the selection of the second washing cycle at the user input. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input further comprises receiving a selection at a user input to change a washing cycle and changing the washing cycle between at least two successive complete washing cycles, such that the two successive complete washing cycles comprise different washing cycles. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input further comprises receiving a selection at a user input to change an operating parameter of a washing cycle and changing the operating parameter of the washing cycle between at least two successive complete washing cycles, such that the two successive complete washing cycles are performed with different operating parameters. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 receiving a selection at a user input to change a washing cycle to an exempt washing cycle; 
 temporarily deactivating the unit dose package operation mode and activating the default detergent operation mode; 
 performing the exempt washing cycle in the default detergent operation mode; and 
 automatically activating the unit dose package operation mode and deactivating the default detergent mode upon one or more of: terminating the exempt washing cycle, or receiving a selection at the user input to change to a washing cycle that is not an exempt washing cycle. 
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 5 , wherein the exempt washing cycle comprises a rinse cycle. 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the default detergent operation mode comprises a first procedure for dispensing water into the laundry washing machine, and the unit dose package operation mode comprises a second procedure for dispensing water into the laundry washing machine, the second procedure being different from the first procedure. 
     
     
       8. A method for operating a laundry washing machine, the method comprising:
 providing, at a user input, a unit dose package operation mode control; 
 deactivating a default detergent operation mode and activating a unit dose package operation mode in response to receiving a first selection of the unit dose package operation mode control from the user input, wherein the default detergent operation mode comprises one or more operating parameters that are different from the operating parameters of the unit dose package operation mode; 
 performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input; 
 receiving a selection at a user input to change a washing cycle to an exempt washing cycle; 
 temporarily deactivating the unit dose package operation mode and activating the default detergent operation mode; 
 performing the exempt washing cycle in the default detergent operation mode; 
 automatically activating the unit dose package operation mode and deactivating the default detergent mode upon one or more of: terminating the exempt washing cycle, or receiving a selection at the user input to change to a washing cycle that is not an exempt washing cycle; and 
 deactivating the unit dose package operation mode and activating the default detergent operating mode in response to receiving a second selection of the unit dose package operation mode control from the user input. 
 
     
     
       9. The method of  claim 8 , wherein performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input further comprises cycling a power state of the laundry washing machine between at least two successive complete washing cycles. 
     
     
       10. The method of  claim 8 , wherein performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input further comprises receiving a selection at a user input to change a washing cycle and changing the washing cycle between at least two successive complete washing cycles, such that the two successive complete washing cycles comprise different washing cycles. 
     
     
       11. The method of  claim 8 , wherein performing a plurality of complete washing cycles in the unit dose package operation mode without receiving a further selection of the unit dose package operation mode from the user input further comprises receiving a selection at a user input to change an operating parameter of a washing cycle and changing the operating parameter of the washing cycle between at least two successive complete washing cycles, such that the two successive complete washing cycles are performed with different operating parameters. 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the exempt washing cycle comprises a rinse cycle. 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 8 , wherein the default detergent operation mode comprises a first procedure for dispensing water into the laundry washing machine, and the unit dose package operation mode comprises a second procedure for dispensing water into the laundry washing machine, the second procedure being different from the first procedure.